The Egyptian currency
has two faces; an
Arabic face and an
English one. The Arabic
side has pictures of
some of the historic
mosques in Egypt.
The English side
has a Pharaonic scene,
except for some
bills which carry the
Egyptian offical seal
instead; the hawk





The Central Bank of
Egypt, where the
money was printed,
used to reside in the
Citadel grounds

Money Matters



CURRENCY:
The Egyptian Pound (EGP) is divided into 100 piastres. Notes are in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 20, 10 and 5 piastres.

In preparation for your journey, you may want to calculate the exchange rate from the US dollar to local currencies. There are several websites that offer a conversion engine. You can also check the Wall Street Journal for currency rate information. http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
http://www.xe.net/ucc
http://www.x-rates.com

CREDIT CARDS AND ATMS: When visiting Egypt, you will find that MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are accepted. Check with your credit and debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. It is advisable to carry some cash or travelers checks in US Dollars for purchases outside urban areas, and tipping. Keep your traveler's checks on you, along with other valuables, including passport, credit cards, or lock in the safety deposit boxes when provided. Cash works well in the marketplaces and with vendors along the road, where bargaining is expected. You should not depend on your ATM card outside of the U.S. unless your bank advises otherwise.

TIPPING: Tips for hotel and lodge personnel are usually included in your tour price, however you should be prepared to tip the staff on your Nile cruise. Tips to your driver and naturalist guides are also at your discretion. A suggested detailed tipping chart will be sent to you with your final documents prior to departure.

SHOPPING:
Your experience of shopping promises to be varied. To make shopping in Egypt more memorable, you should ideally go in for products and stores with a regional accent. Some highlights include: cartouches, amulets, silver items, papyrus paintings, Oriental jewelry, perfume bottles and statues.

DEPARTURE TAXES: Information specific to your itinerary will be outlined in the final documents/instructions.

DID YOU KNOW?
Egyptians were among the very first people to
invent writing, along with ink and paper. The
365 days calendar and the 24-Hour division of the
day are also Egyptian inventions.